The Ruined Maid

Thomas Hardy

1840 to 1928

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Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks;
To know not of megrims or melancho-ly!" —
— "Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak
"My dear — a raw country girl, such as you be,
And thik oon,' and theäs oon,' and t'other'; but now
And your little gloves fit as on any la-dy!" —
"O didn't you know I'd been ruined?" said she.
And you'd sigh, and you'd sock; but at present you seem
Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town?
"O 'Melia, my dear, this does everything crown!
But now I'm bewitched by your delicate cheek,
— "At home in the barton you said thee' and thou,'
And whence such fair garments, such prosperi-ty?" —
And a delicate face, and could strut about Town!" —
— "You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks,
Cannot quite expect that. You ain't ruined," said she.
Your talking quite fits 'ee for high compa-ny!" —
"We never do work when we're ruined," said she.
— "You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream,
And now you've gay bracelets and bright feathers three!" —
"True. One's pretty lively when ruined," said she.
"Yes: that's how we dress when we're ruined," said she.
"Some polish is gained with one's ruin," said she.
— "I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown,